Djokovic beats No. 2 Zverev to reach China Open semifinals
In short
Novak Djokovic, ranked 11th, beat world No. 2 Alexander Zverev 2-1 (4-6 6-4 6-4) in the China Open quarterfinals in Beijing on Oct 4 to reach the last four. The win stretched Djokovic's unbeaten run at the tournament to 32 matches, and he now needs two more victories for his first tour title this year and a seventh China Open trophy. He will play Daniil Medvedev, who beat Francisco Cerundolo, for a place in the final, while Zverev's defeat set back his bid for the year-end No. 1 ranking.
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Novak Djokovic, ranked 11th, beat world No. 2 Alexander Zverev 2-1 (4-6 6-4 6-4) in the China Open singles quarterfinals in Beijing on Oct 4 and advanced to the semifinals, according to Yonhap, Newsis and Dong-A Ilbo. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Yonhap reported that Djokovic lost the opening set after being broken in his first service game and struggled with Zverev's power, then broke Zverev's serve at 5-4 in both the second and third sets to take the match. The win extended Djokovic's unbeaten run at the China Open to 32 matches, Yonhap and Dong-A Ilbo reported. [ 1 , 3 ]
The 39-year-old Djokovic needs two more wins for his first ATP Tour title this year and a seventh China Open trophy, Yonhap and Dong-A Ilbo reported. He will face Daniil Medvedev (6th, Russia), who beat Francisco Cerundolo (22nd, Argentina) in his quarterfinal, the documents said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
“These moments are why I am still playing and competing,” Yonhap quoted Djokovic as saying. He said the desire to win is stirred when he feels he is competing on equal terms with the world's best players and when he plays in front of 15,000 spectators, and added that this year had been difficult for various reasons but that he is glad he can endure it. Yonhap noted the match was his first meeting with Zverev in 16 months. [ 1 ]
Yonhap said Zverev had won two major titles this year and that the defeat damaged his bid to finish the year at world No. 1; Dong-A Ilbo also reported that the loss put his year-end No. 1 challenge in doubt. Newsis described Zverev as this year's US Open champion and showed Djokovic performing a violin celebration in its photo caption. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Newsis and Dong-A Ilbo described Djokovic, who turns 40 next year, as having been below his best recently but in position to win the tournament. Dong-A Ilbo's summary was attributed to Newsis. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
A 39-year-old ranked outside the top 10 beating the world No. 2 at a hard-court event keeps Djokovic in contention for a first title of the year and a seventh China Open crown. The result also complicates Zverev's attempt to finish the season at world No. 1, which the documents present as the main consequence of the loss.
Key facts
- Novak Djokovic beat Alexander Zverev 2-1 (4-6 6-4 6-4) in the China Open singles quarterfinals in Beijing on Oct 4. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Djokovic extended his unbeaten run at the China Open to 32 matches. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Djokovic will face Daniil Medvedev, who beat Francisco Cerundolo, for a place in the final. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Djokovic, 39, needs two more wins to take his first ATP Tour title this year and a seventh China Open trophy. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Zverev's loss damaged his bid for the year-end world No. 1 ranking. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Yonhap reported the two players had not met for 16 months. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap reported Zverev had won two major titles this year; Newsis described him as this year's US Open champion. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Djokovic beat Zverev in the Beijing quarterfinal by a 2-1 set score (4-6 6-4 6-4). [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Djokovic advanced to the semifinals. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Djokovic will play Daniil Medvedev, who beat Francisco Cerundolo, for a place in the final. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Djokovic's unbeaten run at the China Open reached 32 matches. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Zverev's defeat hurt his challenge for the year-end world No. 1 ranking. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Djokovic is chasing a seventh China Open title with two more wins. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- When the semifinal between Djokovic and Medvedev will be played. No document gives a date or time for the semifinal.
- Djokovic's violin celebration after the match. Reported only by Newsis in a photo caption; the other documents do not mention it.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yonhap publishes the fullest report of Djokovic's 2-1 quarterfinal win over Zverev and his semifinal against Medvedev. [ 1 ]
- Newsis publishes an AP photo report of Djokovic following the win, describing him as a tennis legend and noting his violin celebration. [ 2 ]
- Dong-A Ilbo publishes a summary confirming the 2-1 score, the 32-match China Open unbeaten run and the setback to Zverev's year-end No. 1 bid. [ 3 ]